The year was 2014. We had cured cancer. We had beat the common cold. But in doing so we created something new, something terrible that no one could stop. The infection spread, virus blocks taking over bodies and minds with one, unstoppable command: FEED.

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The year was 2014. We had cured cancer. We had beat the common cold. But in doing so, we created something new, something terrible that no one could stop. The infection spread, virus blocks taking over bodies and minds with one, unstoppable command: FEED.

Now, 20 years after the Rising, Georgia and Shaun Mason are on the trail of the biggest story of their lives - the dark conspiracy behind the infected. The truth will out, even if it kills them.

I would like to thank everyone who was disappointed that this was not really a zombie story. I was not going to buy it until I read the reviews. Your disappointment gave me the encouragement I needed to take a chance on it. It was a great listen. I love the author's October Daye stories and this was just as good. She is a hard hitting story teller, and the idealism is a nice change not usually found in a distopian worlds. I don't want to provide any spoilers, but I will say none of my predictions for the conclusion was correct.

As for the reader's slight lisp, it helped make the characters more real for me.

I look forward to the next book, though I know I will have to steel myself to listen to it because of the emotional intensity.

I only listened because of the Hugo nomination. I, for one, resent our new zombie overlords. But this really wasn't a zombie book, more of a "humans can adapt to anything, and still be bastards" kind of book. Fun to read, thought-provoking, and, to my surprise, with an emotional punch that had me mourning at one point in the book, really grieving for a character. Impressive.

This is a very fun book, in the old timey zombie-as-metaphor style. The book is clever, the main characters are likable, and the primary reader is both energetic, emotive, and able to portray many different characters effectively. I don't know why they bothered to hire a second reader for the two or three small paragraphs he ended up reading, but from his admittedly brief appearances, he's not bad either.

This is a very interesting, and very unsettling, take on the zombie mythos. It represents a look into a world where threat is ongoing, and while it doesn't offer much in the way of scares, the constant grinding paranoia of everyone in the book (you must take blood tests to go inside, you must take blood tests to go outside, you must take blood tests to enter different parts of buildings etc. etc. etc.) actually increases the tension as the book continues. You realize the lengths that people have gone through to protect themselves, and ultimately, how useless they all are.

Many zombie stories end up being pretty silly, but this one, both as a critique of fear-culture, and as a story in its own right, is something very interesting, and very worthwhile.

If you're interested in either blogging, or zombies, or what happens when you mix the two of them together and shake vigorously, give this book a read.

As a zombie horror fan I liked the new (to me) way the perspective was presented from the intentionally different character views - newsie, irwin, fictional - and I thought it was a good mechanism for adding depth to what could have been a limited and boring narrative. The matter of fact way horrors are considered and dealt with as just part of life, the personality traits that led each character toward their own views, right down to seeing and accepting the flaws of those around us. You and I don't have to agree, and in a world where you're perpetually on the edge of extinction you and I are all we have, that seemed to be a strong under current not only in the brother/sister relationship yet in their dealings with others. And I took the 'Christian bashing' another reviewer noted as being a portrayal of the religious zealotry too common in today's news, politics and cultures, and the cost we pay for it. Questioning God? Who except the same zealots hasn't at some point, Ms. Grant conveyed to me a character that was searching for answers, holding to hope in a hopeless world, doing the right thing because its the right thing even within that abyss of doubting whether its all worth it or if there's anything beyond.

I guess I just read/heard more depth, more nuance than some, or my imagination filled in the blanks created from her words - and isn't that what's supposed to happen?

At first I was disapointed to find out it was a "zombie"book.I dont usually like such books. But this one was different,well writen with lots of action.But it is a well thought out story that includes politics,medical,spys and the internet. It is a different kind of book.I thought the narration was fine.I didnt notice a lisp.

I almost didn't get this book because of a few reviews. First, that the dialogue was unbelievable & forced and Second, that it was Anti-Christian. Neither of these are true. The dialogue is intelligent and not at all forced. Maybe the reviewer doesn't know anyone who speaks this way, but I do.

As for it being anti-Christian. This isn't true. It's anti-extremist! The bad guy is someone who uses his misinterpretation of religion as a justification do horrendous things. It in no way protrays all religion or Christians as bad, evil, or misguided.

That being said, this isn't your typical Zombie book. The Zombies are very much a side story. It takes place 20+ years after the initial outbreak and is a picture of what society would be like with this constant threat. I found it highly enjoyable, but probably not for the person who wants nonstop zombie action.

Feed is part normal zombie book, part political mystery. It has some of the zombie attach scenes you would normally see, but also does a good job of showing the way people live with the zombies, and what they must do on a day to day basis in this new normal. The story has good character development and a lot of action, excitement and intrigue to keep you coming back for more. Being the first of a trilogy there is always the chance that the author won’t fully wrap up the story to keep their readers coming back for more books, but this did a good job of completing the story allowing it to be stand alone if you don’t want to go on.

A unique aspect of this book was a male and female characters resulting in two performers. I think this made it more realistic and really enjoyable. They both do a great job.

Listening to the audiobook of Feed by Mira Grant left me with a most unexpected experience. I've read my fair share of zombie books from horror to humor, but none have left me feeling the way Feed did. I'm not even sure how to review it but I'll give it a shot.

Feed is told from the point of view(s) of a team of bloggers after the world has fallen prey to a zombie infestation. The news gets to folks more quickly and effectively through various blogger types, Georgia and her brother Shaun being a fairly successful team have signed on to caravan with a presidential hopeful during his campaign. Along the trail this team of bloggers will fall into the middle of what could be the largest most dangerous political conspiracy ever and it will put all their lives at risk.

Quite a large chunk of the beginning of the book is focused on world building told by both Gerogia's narrative and also by the occasional blog post. It was an interesting approach to writing. The world Grant creates is both fascinating and terrifying. She has put a ton of detail into this futuristic danger zone filled with brain eaters and I love what she has come up with.

Another aspect I enjoyed was the character development. There is a large cast here but it was easy to get a clear grasp of who everyone was. I had heard rumblings about the relationship between Georgia and Shaun being odd and turning some people off, but I didn't feel that. It is a very dependent relationship, they rely on each other for everything (literally) but it never felt anything other than a very close sibling bonding to me. Taken into context of what this world is like, I think it may be natural. I actually enjoyed the relationships all the bloggers had with each other.

Without giving any direct spoilers, I have to say that the bravery Grant showed at the end of Feed was amazing. Not many writers would take the leap she did, straight into the deep end of the pool, it was utterly unexpected and pure genius.

What I did not enjoy was the pacing and the lack of action. This zombie ride is a slow moving vehicle with little flesh eating outbreaks and honestly, that just isn't what I typically look for in Z books. I like the gore and blasting of brains. It's not to say that Feed wasn't a well written and enjoyable read. It is, but it isn't what I thought I was going to get.

I think I will still continue with the series, I will just be hoping Shaun will be doing a lot more poking of zombies with sticks, because that would rock!

Given Feed's good rating, I expected a lot more. I found myself getting pretty bored and I LOVE zombie novels.

The authors did an excellent job researching this book and painting an interesting post-apocolyptic world. But it seemed like 95% of the book was describing the world. While interesting and clearly creative, 12-14 hours of 'description' gets old and boring.

I thought the action scenes were rushed and in short supply.

I feel like I am pretty good at predicting surprises, so predictability doesn't bother me all that much. But the outcomes were pretty predictable.

I really liked the dynamic set up between the two main characters, siblings Georgia and Shawn.

But I think the inner-dialogue of the main character (Georgia Mason), was distracting, disruptive, and very repetitive. She repeats the importance of her journalistic integrity over and over and over and over and over. I was willing to give the authors the benefit of the doubt, assuming this was to bring out the unique personal values of the main character, but then she brings it up during action scenes with zombies and others chasing her. It just got annoying.

And I realize blood testing machines are a ubiquitous part of the new world, but how many different ways can we describe a needle prick, antiseptic spray, and red/green light? After a while I really wanted the authors to come up with some short-hand for that process, especially since the book lacked action.

This very clever title blends modern journalism with a rather new setting. The subject zombies (seemingly silly at first) is dealt with with a fair deal of sophistication. The author manages to make them seem a real scientific possibility. (Rabies, for example, turns lesser mammals into biting drooling aggressive creatures in order for the virus to spread itself. (Although the author herself would have done well to have mentioned that.)

While the story is entertaining it is not perfect. For example. A reader may tire of the seemingly endless security precautions on every single page including blood tests described in painfully excruciating and repetitive detail. They should have been edited out. (That's why it's a 15 hour book.)

While I'm glad the book was far more sophisticated than just the video game carnage fest it might have been... after a while a bit of of gratuitous violence might have been a refreshing change from focus on the technology of keeping up video "feeds" to the Internet.

The narration is spot on. The sophisticated tone of the sister contrasts well with her smart mouth brother. Both narrators are pitch perfect. They really add to the writing.

All-in-all a fairly entertaining 15 hours. But not quite a classic. (You know the writing can be improved when the writer allows one's mind time to consider better and different directions for the plot and its devices.)

I had hoped this book would be gripping with scary bits.
After listening to this book for about two hours I stopped it and preferred to sit in silence on my commute to work.
It seemed like listening to Buffy the Vampire Slayer or a teenage girls adventure.
I tried sticking with it, and I'm sure it gets better but it just wasn't my thing.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Simon

Stirling, United Kingdom

7/5/11

Overall

"Unimpressive"

The author of this book basicly attempts to mesh together political intrigue with an undead scenario. The final result is a predictable, unengaging story of what can only be discribed as dull. It's attempts to garner the feel of sociopolitical intrigue fails quite miserably and ultimately leads to a dull cascade of cookie cutter events to a backdrop of a near miss undead apocalypse.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

ben

EASTBOURNE, United Kingdom

3/7/12

Overall

"TOSH"

Complete tosh. I tried to stick at this audio book (grimacing all the way) and could not. Survive about tree quarters of it. If you can best that then you win!! The Americans should uses this book at guantanamo bay to soften up the terrorist. Feed: The Newsflesh Trilogy, Book 1 I hope this doesn't imply there is a 2nd and 3rd one the way. Mira Grant please don't haven't you done enough.

5 of 7 people found this review helpful

Heidi

BURY, United Kingdom

5/4/13

Overall

Performance

Story

"THE best zombie trilogy ever!!!!"

Loved it!!! Now where are the next two books, Audible??? You are letting the side down. more Sean and Georgia Mason please

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Mrs

Taunton, United Kingdom

4/8/13

Overall

"A great mixture of politics, zombies and blogging"

All round great listen, with mystery and suspense. It has a gripping story line and it makes you want to listen more and more. The only bad thing is, it may has a little bit too much swearing for some audience, but that is my opinion.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Melanie

Lightwater, United Kingdom

4/1/12

Overall

"Not your typical zombie apocalupse."

These days, novels of the zombie apocalypse are a-dime-a-dozen. This novel stands out due to its somewhat unusual premise: we survived the zombie apocalypse, civilisation intact. The original rising occurred 20 years ago (the novel is set in 2040ish), and although humanity survived, zombies continue to provide a threat to daily life. Coming from a scientific background, I was fascinated by the exposition of the virology, the various syndromes that survivors suffered: live virus sequestered in your eyeballs, for a start. The politics of the book also provide a variety of solutions to the novel dangers, moose bites as an example.

I felt the characters were distinct and believable, and although the plot was a little thin in places, the constant inventiveness more than made up for it. I am greatly looking forward to the second installment in the series.

1 of 5 people found this review helpful

ben

Maghera, United Kingdom

5/9/12

Overall

"Zombies in the news"

I'm a fan of zombie books, and very much enjoyed this one. Being written from the point of view of the press, rather than some hapless survivor being constantly chased by the undead was a nice change of pace.
The characters were well read and interesting.
Great for Zombie fans, but don't expect to much chasing and shooting.

0 of 2 people found this review helpful

Mike

DumfriesUnited Kingdom

3/5/11

Overall

"Journalism after the zombie rising"

This is one of those titles I added to the wishlist and then forgot why. I almost removed it but I am very pleased I did not. I did find the accents slightly irritating (perhaps a personal foible) but the story and characters make up for them.

The story is primarily that of political intrigue/conspiracy in a US Presidential election and more particularly a group of young journalists covering, or uncovering, it. That it is set in world where zombies now exist gives it an extra dimension.

I will certainly be looking out for the next book in the series.

1 of 7 people found this review helpful

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